Hello Bryan...really have enjoyed watching your videos. I especially appreciate your philosophy "Backpacking is more than hiking, eating and sleeping". Thanks again.
Looks like you had the area all to yourself. Love to see you hiking with a very well mannered pup, looks similar to ours when she was 10 years younger. We still hike 4-6 miles with her, let me re-phrase she takes us hiking every day and just passed her 16th birthday. Great footage in a very grown up area, thanks for sharing another fine outing! Greetings from KY!
Yes, everything was very green. This is definitely an area you should check out sometime. Middle Prong Wilderness and Shining Rock Wilderness, which is just east of Rt. 215, are along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Brevard and Waynesville, NC. Shining Rock Wilderness was one of the original wilderness areas designated by the 1964 Wilderness Act. Lots of 6,000 foot peaks in this area.
Hi Bryan! Have you been able to get in the forest much in the TN/NC mountains since Hurricane Helene to survey the damage to trails? God bless folks in that area! Hope you and Nathan didn't have damage to your homes!
Fortunately we only had 6 inches of rain in Knoxville over the three day period. All of the heavy rain was northeast of here. Newport, Erwin, and Elizabethton areas in TN and of course western NC received most of the rain and damage. I believe it was Yancy, NC that got 29.5 inches in three days. I haven't traveled to those areas yet, but the south district of Cherokee National Forest south of Knoxville did not receive much damage. Thanks for you concern!
Great video. Have hiked the Green Mountain Trail, both up and down. Very tough trail. Middle Prong is so much less crowded than Shining Rock. Next trip, will probably park at Sunburst Picknic Area and go up Green Mountain trail, camp near Mt. Hardy, then down to the campsites along the river for second night. Hike out on the third day.
Thanks ncwild! The only trail in Middle Prong and Shining Rock that I've not done is from Green Knob down to Sunburst. I understand it's pretty steep. Sounds like you've got a good plan put together.
Hey Bryan, thought I would mention that we got our dog (55 lb. short-haired border collie rescue) booties when we have him in the tent because he popped one of our expensive sleeping pads. Luckily we sent it back to the manufacturer for free repair. I figure you are still out west....Like the dogin the videos for sure.
Nice high elevation trip to beat the heat this time of year. Good to see Riley back out there. The rain really makes those greens pop. Middle Prong is another area on my list. I hear there's some trouty waters around there...
To escape the heat is the main reason I chose Middle Prong. The rain makes the leaves come alive. I've never fished there, but in the lower elevations I'm sure Middle Prong would be a nice trout stream.
Love the look of this forest! Also, now that we have hit "inferno summer" season up here, I would love to hear the sound of some rain. Your pup is looking great and it looks like it loves being a trail dog!
This is a unique area with lots of 6,000 foot peaks in the area. On the other side of Rt. 215, the road I started at, is Shining Rock Wilderness, which was one of the original wildernesses designated by the Wilderness Act of 1964. It's been dry here too and I would love to hear and see some rain also. Oh yes, my dog loves to go backpacking. She gets excited when I load my pack in the car.
The nice thing about middle prong is that you will not run into anyone like Shinning Rock! Like your tarp set up. See you traded in your trail star. I love that area! One of my favorites of NC!
Middle Prong has become more popular, but nothing like Shining Rock. My trail star wore out about 2 years ago and I got a Duomid. I've had this tarp for about 2 months and really like it for warm weather, although I go back to the Duomid for winter.
Thanks for another great vlog! I was wondering how you're enjoying hiking with your new hiking partner? May I suggest making a still of your frames around 8:29. I think that would make a great picture for your wall!
Thanks Chris! She's fun to backpack with. The challenge will be to get her to wear a pack and carry her own food when she's old enough in a few months. I'll check out you suggestion.
Looks like a nice trip inspite of all the rain. Your pup is so cute and well mannered! Or here in our world it is in the triple digits so no hiking in the summer months…….can’t wait to go to Waterton, Canada, with the high mountains all around in three weeks!
Nice outing and videography, Bryan....Amazing how green everything is, so close to where I am and yet we're in a drought. Barely had a lick of rain since late May. Your new hiking buddy seems to be getting into the swing of things. Great to see! Take care, Tom
Thanks Tom! We need rain here too. Our water levels are really low. There are a lot of 5,000 and 6,000 foot mountains in this area, with some even getting up to 6,500 feet, so those mountains create they own weather patterns with lots of pop up showers, especially in the afternoons. Oh yea, Riley's figured it out and never gets very far away from me. The next hurdle will be to get her to wear a pack.
Enjoyed the video. Your dog looks like a good hiking companion. Are there many trails that allow a dog off leash in your area. We take our dog with us when we trailer camp in the Smoky Mountains but we are restricted to the campground with Daisy our dog. The Sugarlands trail into Gatlinburg is one of only two trails that allows a dog. Thanks for taking us along!
You are correct! I personally think it's because the forestry service does not allow signs in this wilderness area, so people have created unofficial trails in lots of places.
Hi Bryan. Appreciate another great hiking video. It's a shame they don't blaze the trails in some areas. I've heard the argument "it's a wilderness", but the AT goes through many wilderness areas - and it is blazed. Regardless, look forward to your next hiking video! God Bless.
Thanks Ken, I agree the trails should be blazed and have signs at the intersections. Most wilderness areas have blazes and signs. Finally, Shiningrock Wilderness installed a few signs.
There's a great hidden waterfall at that first night's camp site. Have to Bushwhack a little but lovely. I hike that piece regularly. Do you ever post your tracks anywhere? I'd like to see that unnamed trail.
Thanks for the info about the water falls. The maps in the video are the only info I've posted about this trip. The unnamed trails show up on Gaia GPS maps, but not on the official Shining Rock, Middle Fork Wildernesses map.
@@BryanDeLay I currently use OnX maps. I'll check out Gaia. I'm sure you hear it all the time, but you've got the best hiking vids on UA-cam. Maybe I'm biased seeing all the trails I'm familiar with living in the Pisgah area.. be well.
Thanks for watching! I started taking her on walks when she was 8 weeks old and although she no longer stays right by my side, she never gets too far ahead of me.
Nice to see the pup out learning the trail..Man u are the master of the bear hang. U have it down to an art form. u guys have those branches that really stick out..I swer a lot of the times up here your luck to find a tree that will work...there has been a few times where i know its not the proper height off ground ...but...but its 100 yards or more from camp and off the ground so its gonna have to work...i dont sleep well on those nights. So do the trails ever open up to views or is ist just green and thick as the eyes can see. Did a trip a few weeks ago bushwhacking and man Bryan and it qas thick and couldnt see...felt like an insane asylum ...except the walls werent white they were green. Actually felt a bit chlostraphobic at one point. amyway good vid...and be careful in those extreme Tempratuuuuuures! lol
Thanks Jesse! I've been using my 2CR method since 2011. Especially with the trees there I recommend you try it. My 2CR kit only weighs 2.5 OZ. Here's a link to how it works: bryandelay.com/2cr-bear-bag-method/. It's actually very simple. Oh yea, we have some meadows in high elevations, that are called balds. The thumbnail for this video is from one of the balds.
Enjoyed seeing your pup with you on this outing. She looks like she's taking to the trails well and hanging in there with you. I'm ready for the wide open spaces and some cooler temps. Imagine you are too!
My Duomid is doing great. I just decided to get a tarp for warm weather. I'll go back to the Duomid in cold weather and when I go back to the Winds this summer.
Very lush and green, maybe that's why they call it Green Mountain. Your dog sure is growing. Thanks Bryan!
You may be right Rick. Oh yes, she is really growing. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Hello Bryan...really have enjoyed watching your videos. I especially appreciate your philosophy "Backpacking is more than hiking, eating and sleeping". Thanks again.
Thanks Jeff, glad you're enjoying the videos. The older I get the more I believe that.
One of my favorite areas along with Shining Rock many thanks for sharing!
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Your companion looks like good company. Love your videos. Well done.
Thanks Luther! She seems to really enjoy backpacking.
Such a beautiful area! Riley has grown so much! Thanks for sharing with us. I really enjoyed your video!!
Thanks for continuing to watch my videos Chris. Yes, she has grown a lot.
Hi Bryan
Thoroughly enjoyed your video. Glad you got a hiking companion. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.
🦉
Thank you Danny. She's a good hiking companion. Glad you enjoyed the video.
A world of green…thanks for sharing-love to see your pup with you
Yes, a world of green. These higher elevations in the southern Appalachians average 150 inches of rain a year. Thanks for watching this video!
It is always a good day when you post a new video. Thank you .
Thank you Mark and glad you enjoyed the video.
Hi Bryan! What a cool trip. Beautiful video footage. Your pup has grown. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks jmash41! She has grown a lot and is 5 months old now.
Very beautiful and green! Awesome backpacking trip, Bryan! Nice to see your sweet dog Riley along for the fun. ❤
Thank you very much. Riley seemed to enjoyed the trip.
Truly enjoyed watching.... Especially your pup frolicking on the trail.
Thanks David! She is full of energy.
Looks like you had the area all to yourself. Love to see you hiking with a very well mannered pup, looks similar to ours when she was 10 years younger. We still hike 4-6 miles with her, let me re-phrase she takes us hiking every day and just passed her 16th birthday. Great footage in a very grown up area, thanks for sharing another fine outing! Greetings from KY!
Thanks Mark! She's well mannered most of the time. At five months old she can get wound up though.
So cool to see how Riley seems to love the trail! A great companion. And a great video!
Thanks Woody! She does like to go backpacking.
I was in awe of how green everything looked...the spruce forest was amazing with the rhododendron.
Yes, everything was very green. This is definitely an area you should check out sometime. Middle Prong Wilderness and Shining Rock Wilderness, which is just east of Rt. 215, are along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Brevard and Waynesville, NC. Shining Rock Wilderness was one of the original wilderness areas designated by the 1964 Wilderness Act. Lots of 6,000 foot peaks in this area.
@@BryanDeLay thank you so much ❤️. Yes I definitely want to check this out. Thank you for the recommendation 👍
Looks like a great area to hike. I'm going to consider this place for a fall trip. Good stuff Bryan!
Thanks, fall is a great time of year to go to Middle Prong.
Hi Bryan! Have you been able to get in the forest much in the TN/NC mountains since Hurricane Helene to survey the damage to trails? God bless folks in that area! Hope you and Nathan didn't have damage to your homes!
Fortunately we only had 6 inches of rain in Knoxville over the three day period. All of the heavy rain was northeast of here. Newport, Erwin, and Elizabethton areas in TN and of course western NC received most of the rain and damage. I believe it was Yancy, NC that got 29.5 inches in three days. I haven't traveled to those areas yet, but the south district of Cherokee National Forest south of Knoxville did not receive much damage. Thanks for you concern!
Great video. Have hiked the Green Mountain Trail, both up and down. Very tough trail. Middle Prong is so much less crowded than Shining Rock. Next trip, will probably park at Sunburst Picknic Area and go up Green Mountain trail, camp near Mt. Hardy, then down to the campsites along the river for second night. Hike out on the third day.
Thanks ncwild! The only trail in Middle Prong and Shining Rock that I've not done is from Green Knob down to Sunburst. I understand it's pretty steep. Sounds like you've got a good plan put together.
Enjoyable looking trip. Thanks Bryan!
Thanks tangenttrails! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Hey Bryan, thought I would mention that we got our dog (55 lb. short-haired border collie rescue) booties when we have him in the tent because he popped one of our expensive sleeping pads. Luckily we sent it back to the manufacturer for free repair. I figure you are still out west....Like the dogin the videos for sure.
Yes I'm concerned as well about the dog puncturing the sleeping pad. Still in Wyoming.
Nice high elevation trip to beat the heat this time of year. Good to see Riley back out there. The rain really makes those greens pop. Middle Prong is another area on my list. I hear there's some trouty waters around there...
To escape the heat is the main reason I chose Middle Prong. The rain makes the leaves come alive. I've never fished there, but in the lower elevations I'm sure Middle Prong would be a nice trout stream.
Love the look of this forest! Also, now that we have hit "inferno summer" season up here, I would love to hear the sound of some rain. Your pup is looking great and it looks like it loves being a trail dog!
This is a unique area with lots of 6,000 foot peaks in the area. On the other side of Rt. 215, the road I started at, is Shining Rock Wilderness, which was one of the original wildernesses designated by the Wilderness Act of 1964.
It's been dry here too and I would love to hear and see some rain also. Oh yes, my dog loves to go backpacking. She gets excited when I load my pack in the car.
i am a new subscriber, we really enjoy your videos! thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for subscribing. Glad you are enjoying my videos.
Thanks
You're welcome Mark!
The nice thing about middle prong is that you will not run into anyone like Shinning Rock!
Like your tarp set up. See you traded in your trail star.
I love that area! One of my favorites of NC!
Middle Prong has become more popular, but nothing like Shining Rock. My trail star wore out about 2 years ago and I got a Duomid. I've had this tarp for about 2 months and really like it for warm weather, although I go back to the Duomid for winter.
What tarp are you running with. I gotta get a new one, and I definitely cannot afford DCF!
Nice trip Bryan! Good to see you brought your friend for company. 😊Stay safe and thanks for sharing.
Thanks Stricky! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for another great vlog! I was wondering how you're enjoying hiking with your new hiking partner? May I suggest making a still of your frames around 8:29. I think that would make a great picture for your wall!
Thanks Chris! She's fun to backpack with. The challenge will be to get her to wear a pack and carry her own food when she's old enough in a few months. I'll check out you suggestion.
Looks like a nice trip inspite of all the rain. Your pup is so cute and well mannered! Or here in our world it is in the triple digits so no hiking in the summer months…….can’t wait to go to Waterton, Canada, with the high mountains all around in three weeks!
Thanks! With that kind of heat I bet you can't wait to get to Canada. Have a fun trip.
Hello Bryan and thanks for the video! I wish we had that 70 degree weather now.
Thanks for watching! It's been hot here too. In fact the main reason I went to Middle Prong was to escape the heat.
@@BryanDeLay Elevation is wonderful! I am holding out for Fall at this point. Stay safe!
Nice outing and videography, Bryan....Amazing how green everything is, so close to where I am and yet we're in a drought. Barely had a lick of rain since late May. Your new hiking buddy seems to be getting into the swing of things. Great to see!
Take care, Tom
Thanks Tom! We need rain here too. Our water levels are really low. There are a lot of 5,000 and 6,000 foot mountains in this area, with some even getting up to 6,500 feet, so those mountains create they own weather patterns with lots of pop up showers, especially in the afternoons. Oh yea, Riley's figured it out and never gets very far away from me. The next hurdle will be to get her to wear a pack.
Enjoyed the video. Your dog looks like a good hiking companion. Are there many trails that allow a dog off leash in your area. We take our dog with us when we trailer camp in the Smoky Mountains but we are restricted to the campground with Daisy our dog. The Sugarlands trail into Gatlinburg is one of only two trails that allows a dog. Thanks for taking us along!
Thanks, she's a great backpacking companion. Yes, outside of the park in the national forest there are lots of trails that don't require a leash.
6:50 absolutely true! There are many unnamed trails up in that area. Easy to walk in circles if you're not careful!
You are correct! I personally think it's because the forestry service does not allow signs in this wilderness area, so people have created unofficial trails in lots of places.
Hi Bryan.
Appreciate another great hiking video.
It's a shame they don't blaze the trails in some areas.
I've heard the argument "it's a wilderness", but the AT goes through many wilderness areas - and it is blazed.
Regardless, look forward to your next hiking video!
God Bless.
Thanks Ken, I agree the trails should be blazed and have signs at the intersections. Most wilderness areas have blazes and signs. Finally, Shiningrock Wilderness installed a few signs.
There's a great hidden waterfall at that first night's camp site. Have to Bushwhack a little but lovely. I hike that piece regularly. Do you ever post your tracks anywhere? I'd like to see that unnamed trail.
Thanks for the info about the water falls. The maps in the video are the only info I've posted about this trip. The unnamed trails show up on Gaia GPS maps, but not on the official Shining Rock, Middle Fork Wildernesses map.
@@BryanDeLay I currently use OnX maps. I'll check out Gaia. I'm sure you hear it all the time, but you've got the best hiking vids on UA-cam. Maybe I'm biased seeing all the trails I'm familiar with living in the Pisgah area.. be well.
@@BryanDeLay Mount hardy falls is the falls at that camp site.
As always great video. Good looking area and great looking dog. Bryan what breed is your pup ?
Thanks Johnny! Her mother is a full blooded Mountain Feist and her father is a Border Collie mix.
@@BryanDeLay Good combo. No wonder she takes to the woods like she does.
Riley hikes so well with you. Thanks for taking us along.
Thanks for watching! I started taking her on walks when she was 8 weeks old and although she no longer stays right by my side, she never gets too far ahead of me.
Thanks for sharing this adventure,What's the pooch name
Good trail partner
Her name is Riley and she is a good backpacking partner. Thanks for watching!
Nice to see the pup out learning the trail..Man u are the master of the bear hang. U have it down to an art form. u guys have those branches that really stick out..I swer a lot of the times up here your luck to find a tree that will work...there has been a few times where i know its not the proper height off ground ...but...but its 100 yards or more from camp and off the ground so its gonna have to work...i dont sleep well on those nights.
So do the trails ever open up to views or is ist just green and thick as the eyes can see.
Did a trip a few weeks ago bushwhacking and man Bryan and it qas thick and couldnt see...felt like an insane asylum ...except the walls werent white they were green. Actually felt a bit chlostraphobic at one point.
amyway good vid...and be careful in those extreme Tempratuuuuuures! lol
Thanks Jesse! I've been using my 2CR method since 2011. Especially with the trees there I recommend you try it. My 2CR kit only weighs 2.5 OZ. Here's a link to how it works: bryandelay.com/2cr-bear-bag-method/. It's actually very simple.
Oh yea, we have some meadows in high elevations, that are called balds. The thumbnail for this video is from one of the balds.
👍👍🌹🌹❤❤🌷🌷👌👌
Thank you very Bolleolympus!
Enjoyed seeing your pup with you on this outing. She looks like she's taking to the trails well and hanging in there with you. I'm ready for the wide open spaces and some cooler temps. Imagine you are too!
Thanks John! She likes to go backpacking and get excited when I put my pack in the car. I'm definitely ready for cooler weather.
@@BryanDeLay That's a loyal pup; get ready for that sad look when you load up the pack and not her 😉
No duomid. What happened?
My Duomid is doing great. I just decided to get a tarp for warm weather. I'll go back to the Duomid in cold weather and when I go back to the Winds this summer.